“At Easter in 2018, we performed to the song ‘So Will I’ and the words speak of the God of Creation. We were doing three images that represented just that: an image of the planets and stars; an image of animals of the sky, land and sea; and an image of the life and death of Jesus. All three images stacked together on their sides to reveal Jesus still lives with invisible black light paint.” 

“Here is the kicker: of the millions of land animals to choose from, we were led to use a panda bear. I couldn’t explain why we chose a panda other than it could be depicted quickly with just white paint.” 

It seemed like a random decision. To most people, it probably would not have mattered what animal the artists painted. But God knew that for one family, that panda meant everything. 

Mike remembers the moment. “A gentleman came up to me in tears after the service. He told me that he and his wife hadn’t been to church in years because they lost their daughter to an illness and they were living with bitterness. He woke up that Easter morning with an urge for them to go to church.” 

“They started to cry when the panda was painted because their daughter’s last word was “snow” as she pointed to the television, which showed that it was snowing on the pandas at the Washington D.C. Zoo.” 

“As we embraced, I started to cry because I had confirmation that my creator had used me to reach two people that were broken. The panda had more purpose than I could ever imagine. All glory to God, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might think.” 

Mike’s story is an amazing testimony to how God can use ordinary people and the simplest things to make an eternal impact. And that’s why we believe that every person matters to God and has a unique part in his plan and purposes. Because to God, nothing is without purpose. And that includes you. 

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

You are a part of a beautiful picture that God is painting, a masterpiece in his mission of introducing people to Jesus. What step is he calling you to take in that mission today? 

Details about art and impact provided by Mike Fink. 

Mike has been with CedarCreek for nearly 25 years. He was baptized in November 2004 after attending the Perrysburg campus (which had just opened its current building) for about two years. He joined staff in August 2005, dividing his time between Kids ministry and graphic design. Mike later shifted fully to the Visual Media team, where he currently serves as the Director of Brand.